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Exodus 28 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Priests’ Garments

¹ “Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. ² And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. ³ You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him for my priesthood. ⁴ These are the garments that they shall make: a breast piece, an ephod, a robe, a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash. They shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons to serve me as priests. ⁵ They shall receive gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen.

⁶ “And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and of fine twined linen, skillfully worked.⁷ It shall have two shoulder pieces attached to its two edges, so that it may be joined together. ⁸ And the skillfully woven band on it shall be made like it and be of one piece with it, of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen. ⁹ You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, ¹⁰ six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, in the order of their birth. ¹¹ As a jeweler engraves signets, so shall you engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel. You shall enclose them in settings of gold filigree. ¹² And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders for remembrance. ¹³ You shall make settings of gold filigree, ¹⁴ and two chains of pure gold, twisted like cords; and you shall attach the corded chains to the settings.

REFLECTION

• This chapter gives instructions of priestly clothing.
• As high priest, Aaron was provided with distinctive clothing to “give him dignity and honor”. Each item he wore had symbolic significance.  The ephod, a vest-like outer jacket featured two stones, mounted one on each shoulder.  The name of each Israelite tribe was engraved on one of these stones.  Whenever Aaron entered the tabernacle, he represented all the people of God.
• Today Jesus, our High Priest, represents the church before God’s throne. The New Testament says that “we have One who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).
• All believers are “the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work,” (1 Pet 2:9). We also have the responsibility and privilege to intercede for others.

PRAYER

Let this sink in.  Jesus, your high priest, is representing you and interceding for you before God’s throne.  Continue wait before God.  Notice if God brings anyone to mind.  Is there any hardship, or need that God is reminding you?  Pray for this person now, asking for blessings, and continue to do so for the coming week.  If/when appropriate, speak to this person for comfort and encouragement.  Wait with expectancy that God would listen to your prayer.